Updates from Mrs Norden

It has been a busy half-term, especially over the last couple of weeks.  Please read our latest news articles (linked below) for more information on activities, events and a project brought to fruition through local community support. 

After our successful 'Octagon Cluster writing competition' in the summer term, we are working with the St Ives Rotary club this year on three new competitions (art, writing and photography).  I explained the art and writing competitions to the children today, and you can access the letters about these below.  Details for the photography competition will follow after half-term.  The closing date for entries in all the competitions is 10th January and there are age categories for all our primary year groups (Reception to Year6).

Art Competition         Writing Competition

Unfortunately, parking at drop off and pick up times has become an issue again. Parking at the end of junctions makes it harder for our older children to walk home safely as they cannot see around or over the cars for on-coming traffic. Adults with disabilities are also being obstructed at junction cross over points. Please can we ask everyone to be mindful of our neighbours and to have consideration for pedestrians when parking, ensuring that parking is legal and safe for all. 

Jimmy's in Cambridge have sent us a thank-you letter for all the wonderful donations you made to them during our Harvest collection.  They are extremely grateful for our continued support, and you can read the letter by clicking here.

A huge thank you for the financial support we have received for our PTA Fireworks event which is now secured to go ahead. The 'gates' will begin at 5.30pm on Friday 8th November - you can find more details in the poster further below.  We will also be opening classrooms for parents and carers to share in their children's work with them before the fireworks. The front gate will be opened at 4.15pm, and we ask you to enter (and leave) school through the front door to access the classrooms.  We will be closing the classrooms at 5.15pm to allow staff to get ready to help with the PTA event.  Families will then be able to go round to the rear playground from 5.30pm to join in the fun. 

The newsletter contains more below with updates, information on new ventures, and requested information.

We hope you all have a fabulous, restful half term.

                                                                                                                               _{Anna-Claire Norden}

_Headteacher

Information for parents/carers on the new lunch menu. 

When we return after the half term we have an exciting new menu which will take us up to Easter.   Lots of amazing dishes which I hope your child is going to enjoy and a MEAT FREE DAY each week.

If you have time, we would really appreciate it if you could go through the menu each day with your child as there are some changes on certain days, especially Fridays.

Week 1  :  Fish Fingers has been replaced by Beef Burger & Chips.  This is a dish that I know the children have loved previously.  We would love it if you could let your child know on the day that it isn’t fish, so when they come up to the counter they are not expecting Fish Fingers,  as this saves us a lot of confused faces!

Week 3  :  Fish Fingers will be replaced with a Fish portion & Chips.  This is a Gluten Free Battered Alaska Pollock Fillet which I’m sure the kids are going to love.

Thank You For Your Time

Myself, Nicola & Louise wish you a restful week.

Lucy Shook

Catering Manager

Please click here for the Reader Teacher website

Phonics

We are really impressed with the progress that children are making across the school in their phonics learning, following our Little Wandle phonics scheme. It has been lovely observing phonics sessions and Catch Up interventions, seeing the children 'grow the code,' as they are learning new phonemes. 

Our staff have attended recent training on articulation of the 'pure' sounds and we thought it would be helpful to share the video link with you too, so that you can see how your child is being taught at school and continue this at home.  

 https://www.littlewandlelettersandsounds.org.uk/resources/for-parents/

Thank you for your support in 'growing the code.' 

Miss Cotton and Mrs Sprawson

“Once you learn to read, you will be forever free.” — Frederick Douglass

“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more you learn, the more places you’ll go.”— Dr. Seuss, “I Can Read With My Eyes Shut!

Therapy Dog in school

We are very excited to announce that after half term, we will be welcoming Bear to Swavesey Primary School. Bear is a trained Pets As Therapy Dog and he will be visiting with his owner once a week initially. All Bear’s sessions will take place in The Snug at the agreed times only. PAT dogs who visit schools have been found to boost self-confidence and have a positive impact on their social and emotional wellbeing. Bear can also offer Read2Dogs sessions to help pupils improve their literacy skills and encourage confidence and concentration. You may receive an email from Miss McAuley inviting your child to participate in one of these sessions with Bear. Please do say hello if you see Bear on site, he is very friendly and loves fuss!

Autumn Term Updates

Guitar Lessons - Our resident guitar teacher, Mr Cory, may now have some available 30min slots (£19.25 per session) and/or 15min slots (£9.62 per session)! If your child is interested in learning the guitar, please contact Mr Cory via email at jimmypagefans@hotmail.com. Please include:- pupils name, parent/guardian name, school name, class teachers name for 24/25 term, home address & mobile phone number. Please book early to avoid disappointment. Please note if you have already been added to my waiting list, you will be the first to be offered any spaces that become available.

SEND, Safeguarding, Health and Wellbeing Links

SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) information can be accessed through our SEND website pages here

Safeguarding Information - please click here for our Safeguarding page especially should you have concerns relating to the safeguarding of our children and families.  Please click here to go directly to our Safeguarding policy.

Attendance Policy - please click here for the school's attendance policy. It is vitally important parents and carers are aware of their responsibilities and the formal processes for attendance matters.  The NHS have created a useful webpage to support decision-making when children are unwell - you can click here for the link.

SEMH (Social Emotional Mental Health) resources for parents - Please click here to access an overview sheet with signposted resources for you to use at home to support your children.  The overview sheet can also be found at the bottom of the SEND page on our website here.  

H.A.Y Cambridgeshire Community Wellbeing support -  How Are You South Cambs? | Home (haysouthcambs.co.uk)

NHS Mental Health Services - www.keep-your-head.com and SHOUT - a new Text service on 85258 which provides real-time support to people of all ages who are struggling with their mental health (text the word HEAR to 85258).

Chat Health is a NHS confidential NHS service for help and advice. It’s safe and easy for you to speak to a qualified health professional. Just send a message, you don’t have to give your name. Discreet and quick. It only takes one message to start making a difference. You’ll get confidential advice from trained health staff in your area. Click here to access the site to start a web chat today.

To find out about Pupil premium and Free school meals, please visit our Pupil Premium page by clicking here. 

Links to each Phase page under the Curriculum tab on our website.

                                Reception    Yr1/2    Yr3/4    Yr5/6

Access SCOPay Parent Information here and EYandP Fees and Funding Page here